Monarch Lake Loop Trail - 3.9 Miles Round-Trip

Monarch Lake is located east of Lake Granby, Colorado on the west side of the Continental Divide. Its versatility as a hiking, running, horseback riding and winter sport trail make it one of the Indian Peaks' most popular year-round destinations. Much of Monarch Lake's shoreline is accessible to anglers, who seek its brook, rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout stocks.

The following description travels clockwise:

The trail begins on a level path up the north shore of Monarch Lake. It travels quickly to the lake's inlet (.95 miles) and enters a mixed forest at the Indian Peaks Wilderness Boundary (1.25 miles : 8,358').

Look for moose is this marshy, food-rich habitat. The trail climbs to the Cascade Creek Trail - Arapaho Pass Trail split (1.6 miles : 8,367'), and bears right into a thick forest to continue the loop.

The trail is variously rugged and obstructed by deadfall over next 2 miles as it rises above the lake's south shore. Though views are fairly limited until reaching the far southwest shoreline, the forest itself is quite attractive, and good place to see deer, moose, bear, and elk.

You'll cross a bridge spanning the inlet to connections for the Arapaho Pass Trail (2.3 miles) and High Lonesome Trail (2.35 miles).

The trail edges back to the shoreline at 3.4 miles with good access and easterly views across the lake. It continues over Lake Monarch's outlet stream and dam to complete the loop.

Rules and Regulations

There's a $5 entry fee to Monarch Lake, payable at a self service station on Arapaho Bay Road. The pay station is located on the right (north) side of the road, just past the turnoff from Highway 34.

Backcountry Camping is not permitted around Monarch Lake. Camping is only permitted in designated campgrounds at Monarch Lake.

Directions to Trailhead

The Monarch Lake Trailhead is located 61.9 miles north of I-70 on Arapaho Bay Road in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. The trailhead is located southeast of Lake Granby, on the northwest shore of Monarch Lake.

From I-70, take Exit #232 for Rocky Mountain National Park and Winter Park. Drive 46.9 miles over Berthoud Pass and through the towns of Winter Park, Fraser, and Tabernash to the split for Highway 34.

Veer right on Highway 34 and drive 5.4 miles to Arapaho Bay Road in Granby. Turn right (east) on Arapaho Bay Road, and don't forget to stop at the self-pay station just after this turn. Follow the graded dirt road 9.6 miles to the trailhead.